FBI and Ann Arbor Police Apprehend Food Contamination Suspect

FBI and Ann Arbor Police Apprehend Food Contamination Suspect

David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, FBI-Detroit Division, announced that the individual who was suspected of contaminating food at open food bars in several Ann Arbor grocery stores has been identified and taken into custody today through a joint investigation by the Ann Arbor Police Department and the FBI. Tips from the public directly led to this individual being identified.

The suspect has admitted to using a potentially hazardous material to contaminate food in several Ann Arbor-area grocery stores. Our joint investigation leads us to believe that this individual sprayed a liquid mixture of hand cleaner, water, and Tomcat mice poison on produce in the following three grocery stores:

Whole Foods Market at 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor

Meijer at 3145 Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Ann Arbor

Plum Market at 375 North Maple Road in Ann Arbor

The suspect stated that he sprayed produce in these stores within the last two weeks. The suspect visited several other grocery stores in the Ann Arbor area in the last few months and the investigation is ongoing in order to determine if any other stores were victimized by the suspect. Investigators are currently coordinating with state of Michigan and Washtenaw County Health Officials to determine the extent of any contamination and the threat to the public.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Agriculture, and the Washtenaw County Health Department are leading the public health response to the incident. These agencies have disseminated an advisory to inform the public on how to respond to the incident.

The FBI and the Ann Arbor Police want to thank the media for bringing attention to this matter, and the public for their assistance in offering tips and leads, which led to swift resolution in this case.